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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca²⁺-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Published on: March 1, 2019

Heat shock proteins on the human sperm surface.

Soren Naaby-Hansen¹, John C Herr

¹Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. sonh@rn.dk

Journal of Reproductive Immunology

|December 8, 2009

Summary

Diverse heat shock proteins (HSPs) are present on the human sperm surface, with some sharing epitopes with Chlamydia trachomatis HSP70. This suggests a link between genital tract infection, HSP70 immunity, and infertility.

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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca²⁺-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Published on: March 1, 2019

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Immunology
Proteomics

Background:

The molecular composition of the sperm plasma membrane is crucial for fertilization but not fully understood.
Sperm membrane composition changes during transit through the male reproductive tract, capacitation, and acrosome reaction.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize heat shock proteins (HSPs) on the human sperm surface.
To investigate potential links between HSPs, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and reproductive failure.

Main Methods:

Proteomic analysis of surface-labeled human sperm using 2D gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and Edman degradation.
Immunological assays including antibody-based detection and immunoprecipitation.

Main Results:

Seven heat shock proteins from four families, including testis-specific HSP70 chaperones (HSPA2, HSPA1L), were identified on the sperm surface.
Antibodies against HSPA2 and human anti-sperm antibodies recognized these surface HSPs, with some blocking in vitro fertilization.
Three sperm antigens shared epitopes with Chlamydia trachomatis HSP70.

Conclusions:

Diverse heat shock proteins are accessible on the human sperm surface.
Shared epitopes between human sperm HSPs and Chlamydia trachomatis HSP70 suggest a potential mechanism for infection-induced infertility via immune responses.